More than 76,000 migrants crossed the U.S.-Mexico border last month, more than double the number from the same period last year
A Honduran family walks near the Benito Juarez Sports Center one block from the border in Tijuana on Nov. 26.
The new figures reflect the difficulties President Trump has faced as he tries to cut down on illegal immigration, his signature issue. But it could also help him make the case that there truly is a national emergency at the border — albeit one built around humanitarian crises and not necessarily border security.
And McAleenan said a new processing center would be built in El Paso that would be better suited to manage families and children and handle medical care concerns — but it's not a permanent solution. Those apprehended used to be mostly single men from Mexico, but are now mostly families from Central America — since October, more than 130,000 families have been apprehended between ports of entry. From October through September 2018, about the same number of families was apprehended at the U.S.-Mexico border. Tens of thousands of children illegally cross the border alone. While single men used to evade capture, the families are seeking out agents.
Border officials said the large groups were creating opportunities for smugglers because attention is diverted. Border officials say they worry they're spending too much time on migrant care and not enough on security.
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